Haapamäki offers several distinct themes to consider when planning a trip: the history of a Finnish railway settlement, railway-related architecture and a nature trail through forest landscapes. Those interested in the town’s development can focus on historic buildings and a virtual exhibition. For those who prefer the outdoors, the Haaramäen luontopolku offers a route with a stated length and described sections of landscape.
Haapamäki as a railway settlement
The Haapamäki railway area is considered a typical example of a railway settlement that developed along Finland’s nationwide railway network. This means the town can be viewed not only through individual buildings: its settlement pattern points to the role the railway network played in the creation of places like this. For a trip focused on history, this context helps put Haapamäki’s building history into perspective.
The station itself is also architecturally significant: it is one of the first National Romantic railway stations designed by Granholm. The virtual exhibition “Haapamäki, Rautatiekylä keskellä Suomea” offers another perspective. It presents the life of the railway community and explores the station’s more than hundred-year history in the context of Finnish society’s development. In Haapamäki, the design of a railway station and the history of people whose lives were connected with the railway thus come together as different aspects of the same subject.
Church and Civil Guard Hall
Haapamäki’s church is one of Finland’s first multi-purpose churches. This makes it a distinct architectural subject alongside the railway history. The Haapamäen Suoja, a Civil Guard hall, is also part of the town’s building history: the building was completed in 1939. Those interested in different building types can compare these two buildings with the National Romantic railway station without reducing them to the same function or period.
Nature trail and forest landscape
The Haaramäen luontopolku is 2.5 kilometres long. It passes through spruce forests with varying levels of moisture, along a stream and through old, rocky pine forest. This short route therefore features several different forest landscapes. Its length helps with planning how much time to allow; it does not specify a walking time or a particular difficulty level.
The starting point is at the Haapamäki Steam Locomotive Park car park on Veturipuistotie. The steam locomotive park ceased operating and was permanently closed following the closure announcement of 30 April 2025. Before setting out, therefore, check access to the stated starting point locally. Do not plan the park as an open attraction; any possible reopening or change of use should be checked separately.
Putting routes and events in context
Another named route is “Hiekkakiskoilla Haapamäelle”: starting at Hotel Keurusselkä, it is 31 kilometres long and passes through Haapamäki to the Steam Locomotive Park. Its stated length and starting point offer a different scale for planning than the 2.5-kilometre nature trail. Since the park is permanently closed, its endpoint should not be treated as an open visitor destination.
The Pro-Haapamäki Days are a traditional annual event weekend in Haapamäki. If you would like to plan your trip around them, check the dates and programme for the relevant year. This makes it easier to choose between a stay focused on railway and building history, time on the nature trail or a visit around the event weekend, according to the themes that actually suit you.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Hankasalmi, Lannevesi, Pihtipudas, Kinnula, Lievestuore, Pylkönmäki, Kannonkoski, Oulunsalo.
Back to the main travel overview: Central Finland.
